Apparatus for measuring biological information and earphone having the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring biological information and an earphone having the same for contacting with a uniform pressure a user body part using an elastic member. The apparatus includes a first housing; a second housing foldably connected with the first housing; a third housing foldably connected with the second housing and provided with a sensor for measuring the biological information; a plurality of joint parts for connecting the housings to be folded or unfolded to each other; one or more locking parts for restraining or releasing the housings to be folded or unfolded to each other; and the elastic member for applying the same pressure to make the sensor contact with the user&#39;s body by enabling the respective housings to be folded or unfolded using a stress-strain.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to an application entitled “Apparatusfor Measuring Biological Information and Earphone Having the Same” filedin the Korean Industrial Property Office on Dec. 15, 2008 and assignedSerial No. 10-2008-0127461, the contents of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring biologicalinformation and an earphone incorporating the apparatus having a sensorfor measuring biological information by contact with a portion of auser's body.

2. Description of the Related Art

Measurement of biological information obtained from blood streams of ahuman body, such as a pulse rate, a number of heartbeats or the like, isperformed using a variety of conventional devices of a variety of shapesor sizes, often miniaturized in a portable size or incorporated intoother products.

For example, a measuring apparatus is provided in which a pulse sensoris installed within a wristwatch. When a user touches the pulse sensorusing an inner surface of his/her fingertip, the pulse sensor opticallydetects a pulse count, and the pulse rate is displayed of thewristwatch.

The conventional apparatus for measuring the biological information asdescribed above will typically use an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensordesigned to measure the pulse rate by detecting signals using amulti-polar electrode. Further, a photo sensor has been disclosed tomeasure the biological information that irradiates light onto a skinsurface of the user's body via a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and detectsreflected light, observing scattering of light within the user's bodyvia a Photo Diode (PD).

WO/2005/034742, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference, is an example of a conventional apparatus for measuring thebiological information. When this apparatus is used as a sensor formeasuring the pulse rate using a transmission-type photo sensor appliedto an earlobe, the sensor is adapted to compress the earlobe usingpincers, that typically include two arms, a pivot and a spring.

However, the conventional ECG sensor needs to employ an electrode madefrom a conductive material or a special pad on which a high viscositymaterial, such as a gel, is applied. In addition, in order to perform atest while the user is exercising, the conventional ECG sensor must beinstalled on the user's body in a location, such as the chest, wheremuscles move. Further, it is difficult to obtain the number ofheartbeats due to the disturbance of the ECG signals by theelectromyogram (EGM) signal.

Special clothing, such as a bio-shirt, has been developed for use whentests are performed during exercise. However, use of such specialclothing is inconvenient.

In order to solve the drawbacks described above, studies have beenpublished for miniaturizing measuring devices for collecting biologicalinformation. As a result, an apparatus which can be mounted on anearphone using the structure of the user's ear has been developed.

When the apparatus for measuring the biological information is installedon the earphone, the apparatus adopts a measuring method to check thebiological information with a transmission-type sensor positioned in anearflap of the user. However, such apparatus has drawbacks in that asignificant amount of noise is generated by relative movement of theearphone against the user's skull. However, this relative movement isdifficult to prevent due to the physical proximity of the earlobe to theskull and the weight of the earphone.

To solve the problems caused by the relative movement due to the weightof the earphone as described above, a lightweight chip of a sensor partis separated from the apparatus when the apparatus is in use. However,such construction is inconvenient in that the user must additionallycare for the lightweight chip. A method to mount the chip in the earlobeof the user has also been proposed, but is structurally complicated dueto its construction using a heavy earphone and an additional chip,making transport of the apparatus inconvenient.

As another way of solving the above drawbacks, an apparatus is providedin which the sensor part is completely inserted in the user's ear. Suchapparatus, however, has disadvantages in that the user cannot listen tomusic because the apparatus interferes with an earphone function.

The above-described pincer-type apparatus is inconvenient to use sincethe spring force will vary depending on thickness and length of a user'searlobe, and further it is very difficult to obtain exact measurements.

Moreover, more space is needed due to the configuration of thepincer-type, and there is a practical inconvenience for the user becauseopening operations of the pincers for inserting the sensor part aretotally contradicted with operations for inserting the earphone, whenthe apparatus is incorporated with the earphone.

Hence, there is a need for an apparatus capable that accurately measuresexact biological information by elimination of the pressure differencecaused by thickness and length variations in user earlobes, allowing thesensor to contact the earlobe with uniform pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve theabove-mentioned problems of conventional devices, and the presentinvention provides an apparatus for measuring biological information andan earphone having the same which can reduce a signal deviation of thebiological information due to the difference in the thickness and lengthof the user's body part and obtain a signal in its optimal state. In thepresent invention, a sensor apparatus is provided that contacts theuser's body part with a uniform pressure for measuring biologicalinformation.

The present invention provides an earphone including an apparatus formeasuring biological information. The present invention is constructedfrom a reduced number of components, thereby facilitating lower costmanufacture, and can be installed within a small space.

Further, the present invention provides an apparatus for measuringbiological information and an earphone having the same which allows aproduct to be conveniently operated by providing a locking part torestrain or release folding or unfolding operations of a housing with asensor for measuring the biological information using an elastic member.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is providedan apparatus for measuring biological information, including a firsthousing; a second housing foldably connected with the first housing; athird housing foldably connected with the second housing and providedwith a sensor for measuring the biological information; a plurality ofjoint parts provided between the respective housings for connecting thehousings to be folded or unfolded to each other; one or more lockingparts provided between the respective housings for restraining orreleasing the housings to be folded or unfolded to each other; and anelastic member provided within the respective housings and joint parts,which applies a same pressure to make the sensor contact with the user'sbody by enabling the respective housings to be folded or unfolded usinga stress-strain which tends to return to its initial state when thelocking part is restrained or released.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the construction of anapparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view illustrating a state in which theapparatus for measuring biological information installed in an earphone,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventioninserted in a user's ear;

FIG. 2 c is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the apparatus ofFIG. 2 b;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating an elastic member of theapparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4( a) shows the elastic member in a non-operating state;

FIG. 4( b) shows the elastic member in an operating state;

FIG. 4( c) shows the elastic member after operation;

FIG. 5( a) is a side view of the earphone of an embodiment of thepresent invention in the nonoperated state;

FIG. 5( b) illustrates the earphone of an embodiment of the presentinvention installed in the user's ear, in the non-operating state;

FIG. 5( c) illustrates the earphone installed in the user's ear, at thestart of being operated;

FIG. 5( d) illustrates the earphone in close contact with the earlobe ofthe user;

FIG. 6( a) is a side sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein a first locking part is not yet operated;

FIG. 6( b) is a top plan view of the embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the first locking part is not yet operated;

FIG. 6( c) is a top plan view illustrating operation of the firstlocking part;

FIG. 6( d) is a side sectional view illustrating operation of the firstlocking part;

FIG. 7( a) is a sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein a second locking part is not yet operated;

FIG. 7( b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion as indicatedby arrow “A” in FIG. 7( a), illustrating the state that the secondlocking part is not yet operated; and

FIG. 7( c) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion asindicated by arrow “A” in FIG. 7( a), illustrating the state that thesecond locking part is being operated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, the same elements will be designated by the same referencenumerals although they are shown in different drawings. Further, variousspecific definitions found in the following description, such asspecific values of packet identifications, contents of displayedinformation to provide a general understanding of the present invention.Further, in the following description of the present invention, adetailed description of known functions and configurations incorporatedherein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of thepresent invention rather unclear.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, an apparatus 10 for measuring biologicalinformation includes first, second and third housings, 20, 30 and 40, aplurality of joint parts 50, a locking part (FIGS. 1, 6 and 7), and anelastic member 70 (FIG. 3).

The first housing 20 is connected with one end of the second housing 30so that the second housing 30 can be folded or unfolded against thefirst housing 20. The second housing 30 is connected with one end of thethird housing 40 such that the third housing 40 can be folded orunfolded against the second housing 30. The third housing 40 isconnected with the other end of the second housing 30 and provided witha Light Emitting Diode (LED) 2 a of a sensor 2 (FIGS. 5( b)-5(d)) formeasuring the biological information, when in contact with an earlobe ofthe user.

The joint parts 50 are provided between the first, second and thirdhousings, 20, 30 and 40, which allow the first, second and thirdhousings, 20, 30 and 40 to be foldably or unfoldably connectedtherewith, respectively. The locking part 60 is disposed between thefirst, second and third housings, 20, 30 and 40, to restrain or releasethe first, second and third housings, 20, 30 and 40 in a folded state.The elastic member 70 is provided within the respective first, secondand third housings, 20, 30 and 40, and the joint parts 50, to apply auniform pressure bringing the LED 2 a into contact with the user'searlobe 3, and enable the respective housings 20, 30 and 40 to unfoldedwhen the locking part 60 is released.

The apparatus 10 is applied to an earphone 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5,and is applicable to a variety of other small electronic devices, suchas an information transmission device, a multimedia device or the likewhich can be in contact with the user's body portion.

Referring to FIG. 2( a), the first housing 20 is installed in a mountinggroove 1 a formed in the earphone 1, which makes it possible for theuser to listen to music as well as measure the number of his/herheartbeats.

As shown in FIG. 1, the joint parts 50 include first and second jointparts, 51 and 52, respectively. The first joint part 51 is providedbetween the respective ends of the first and second housings, 20 and 30,connecting the first housing 20 with the second housing 30 and enablingthe second housing 30 to fold and unfold against the first housing 20.The second joint part 52 is provided between the respective ends of thesecond and third housings, 30 and 40, connecting the second housing 30with the third housing 40 and enabling the folding and unfolding. Thefirst and second joint parts 51 and 52 have smaller thickness than therespective housings 20, 30 and 40, facilitate folding and unfolding.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4( a) through 4(c), the elastic member 70 isdesigned to receive a constant force, and to be deformed up to about 8%of the strain.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, locking part 60 includes first and secondlocking parts 61 and 62, respectively. The first locking part 61 isprovided between opposite facing sides of the first and second housings,20 and 30, to restrain the first housing 20 to the second housing 30.When the user presses first and second pressing members, 61 a and 61 b,which are exposed outside of the first housing 20, the second housing 30unfolds from the first housing 20.

The second locking part 62 is provided between opposite facing sides ofthe second and third housings, 30 and 40, to restrain the third housing40 to the second housing 30. The second and third housings, 30 and 40,are retained by the first locking part 61.

Referring to FIGS. 6( a) to 6(d), the first locking part 61 includes thefirst and second pressing members 61 a and 61 b, a hook part 61 c, and apair of wire latch parts 61 d. The first and second pressing members 61a and 61 b are exposed outside of the first housing 20 and are designedto expand or shrink the pair of wire latch parts 61 d by pressing downthe first and second pressing members 61 a and 61 b. The hook part 61 cis provided on one side of the second housing 30 to hook on one of thewire latch parts 61 d and to release therefrom upon rotation of thesecond housing 30. One of the wire latch parts 61 d is disposed at alocation corresponding to the hook part 61 c, and between the first andsecond pressing members 61 a and 61 b. A central portion of the wirelatch parts 61 d expands or shrinks in the opposite directions to hookor release the hook part 61 c when the first and second pressing members61 a and 61 b are pressed by the user. The hook part 61 c is formed witha guide ramp 601 for helping one of the wire latch parts 61 d smoothlyengage the hook part 61 c when the latter is brought into contact withthe former.

The wire latch parts 61 d are formed in a semi-sphere shape from a softmaterial to allow easy expansion or shrinking when pressed.

FIGS. 7( a) to 7(c) show first and second engaging members 62 a and 62 bof the second locking part 62. The first engaging member 62 a isprovided on one side of the second housing 30 to hook the secondengaging member 62 b. The second engaging member 62 b is provided at alocation corresponding to the first engaging member 62 a on one side ofthe third housing 40. The second engaging member 62 b comes in contactwith an outer protrusion A1 of the earphone 1 and is engaged with thelatter or released therefrom to fold or unfold the second and thirdhousings 30 and 40 when the second and third housings 30 and 40 arerotated by the elastic member 70. One end of the first engaging member62 a is in the form of the semi-sphere in order to easily disengage froma ridge 602 formed on one end of the second engaging member 62 b. Theridge 602 hooked on and released from the first engaging member 62 a.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c), the elastic member 70 iscomposed of first, second and third elastic parts 71, 72 and 73 and aplurality of elastic joints 74. The first elastic part 71 is provided inthe first housing 20 and can be folded to or unfolded from the secondelastic part 72. The second elastic part 72 is provided in the secondhousing 30 for applying a stress strain which can return itself to itsinitial state, to fold to or unfolded from the first elastic part 71along with the second housing 30. Further, the third elastic part 73 isprovided in the third housing 40 for providing a stress strain which canreturn itself to its initial state, to fold or unfold from the secondelastic part 72 along with the third housing 40.

A plurality of elastic joints 74 are provided in the joint parts 50,between the first, second and third elastic parts 71, 72 and 73, toconnect the first, second and third elastic parts 71, 72 and 73, and toapply a stress strain to return the first, second and third elasticparts 71, 72 and 73 to their initial states. The elastic joint 74 has asmaller thickness than those of the elastic parts 71, 72 and 73 toprovide a stress strain for returning the latter to their initialstates.

The first housing 20 is formed with an engaging groove 21 to receive thefirst locking part 61.

Operations of the apparatus for measuring the biological information andthe earphone having the same in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.1 through 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c), the inventive apparatus 10 isprovided with the sensor 2 for measuring the biological information. Thesensor 2 is preferably a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor or atransmission-type sensor, which is used to obtain the number ofheartbeats, typically during a user's exercise state, measuring anamount of exercise, and checking/removing the stress of the user. Thesensor 2 for measuring the biological information includes LED 2 a and aPhoto Diode (PD) 2 b (FIGS. 5( b)-5(c)).

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the apparatus 10 for measuring thebiological information includes the first, second and third housings,20, 30 and 40, a plurality of joint parts 50, a locking part 60, and theelastic member 70. The joint parts 50 are composed of first and secondjoint parts 51 and 52, respectively. The first joint part 51 is providedbetween the first and second housings 20 and 30, while the second jointpart 52 is provided between the second and third housings 30 and 40.

The elastic member 70 is provided within the respective housings 20, 30and 40 and the joint parts 50. Here, the elastic member 70 includes thefirst elastic part 71 provided in the first housing 20, the secondelastic part 72 provided in the second housing 30, the third elasticpart 73 provided in the third 40, and a plurality of elastic joints 74provided in the first and second joint parts 51 and 52.

It can be noted that the LED 2 a of the sensor 2 for measuring thebiological information is provided at the third housing 40, while the PD2 b is disposed on the earphone 1 positioned at an opposite side of theuser's earlobe 3, as shown in FIGS. 5( b)-5(c).

The first locking part 61 is disposed in the engaging groove 21 formedin the first housing 20, while the second locking part 62 is providedbetween the second and third housings 30 and 40. In this state, as shownin FIG. 2( a), the first housing 20 of the apparatus 10 is installed inthe mounting groove 1 a formed in the earphone 1. Then, the user putsthe earphone 1 having the inventive apparatus 10 for measuring thebiological information into his/her ear, as shown in FIGS. 2( b) and2(c).

It should be noted here that the earphone 1 is in close contact with theearlobe 3 of the user, and the PD 2 b installed within the earphone 1also makes contact with the earlobe 3. When the user presses both thefirst and second pressing members 61 a and 61 b of the first lockingpart 61, the central portion of a pair of wire latch parts 61 d disposedbetween the first and second pressing members 61 a and 61 b expands inthe opposite direction. Accordingly, the hook part 61 c provided at oneside of the second housing 30 is released from a pair of wire latchparts 61. At the same time, the second and third housings 30 and 40 arereleased from their restraint state by the first housing 20, rotatingagainst the first housing 20 to be unfolded.

The second and third elastic parts 72 and 73 received within the secondand third housings 30 and 40, then respectively rotate the second andthird housings 30 and 40, using the stress strain to return the secondand third housings 30 and 40 to their initial states.

Referring to FIGS. 5( c) and 5(d), the elastic joint 74 provided betweenthe second and third elastic parts 72 and 73 and the first and secondelastic parts 71 and 72 shows its stress strain with inclination to bereturned to its initial state.

As shown in FIGS. 7( a) to 7(c), the second and third housings 30 and 40rotate around the plurality of joint parts 50 to unfold, and then thethird housing 40 comes in contact with the protrusion A1 formed outsideof the earphone 1. At this moment, both the first engaging member 62 aformed on the second housing 30 and the second engaging member 62 bformed on the third housing 40 disengage from each other, allowing thethird housing 40 to rotate and unfold from the second housing 30. Here,the third housing 40 is rotated and unfolded by the second joint part52. In addition, the third elastic part 73 of the elastic member 70rotates the third housing 40 using its stress strain with inclination toreturn to its initial state.

Referring to FIG. 5( d), the light emitting diode 2 a of the sensor 2for measuring the biological information provided in the third housing40 makes contact with the user's earlobe 3 to provide a uniformpressure. The LED 2 a is provided at the opposite position from the PD 2b, at opposite sides of the user's earlobe 3. The third housing 40brings the LED 2 a into contact with the user's earlobe 3 with a uniformpressure, regardless of the difference in thickness and length of theearlobe 3, which makes it possible to reduce the signal deviation of theuser's biological information and pick up an exact signal in an optimalstatus.

Meanwhile, the first and second joint parts 51 and 52 have a smallerthickness than those of the respective housings 20, 30 and 40.Similarly, the elastic joint 74 is formed in a smaller thickness thanthose of the first, second and third elastic parts 71, 72 and 73.

When the elastic joint 74 is manufactured with a cross-sectionalthickness, for example 0.5 mm×0.5 mm, the LED 2 a of the third housing40 will contact with the user's earlobe 3 with a force of 0.5 N. Here,the thickness of the elastic joint 74 is not limited to 0.5 mm, but maybe less or more than 0.5 mm.

The cross-sectional thickness of the respective elastic parts 71, 72 and73 and the elastic joint 74 are preferably set more than 2.0 mm×0.5 mm,to increase their inertia values of the second moment.

With different thicknesses for the respective elastic parts 71, 72 and73 and the elastic joint 74, the inertia value of the second moment dueto rotation when the second and third housings 30 and 40 are folded orunfolded can be increased, thereby improving the folding or unfoldingoperation of the second and third housings 30 and 40.

The disengaging operation of the inventive apparatus 10 for measuringthe biological information is now described. Referring to FIGS. 1through 7 a, 7 b and 7 c, the earphone 1 is first withdrawn from theuser's ear. The third housing 40 is folded onto the second housing 30,and the second engaging member 62 b of the third housing 40 is hookedand secured to the first engaging member 62 a of the second housing 30,whereby the third housing 40 is restrained to the second housing 30.

In the above folded state, as shown in FIGS. 6( a) to 6(c), the secondand third housings 30 and 40 are folded to each other, and the hook part61 c of the second housing 30 is engaged and secured to a pair of wirelatch parts 61 d of the first housing 20. Since the hook part 61 c isprovided with the guide ramp 601, the hook part 61 c is smoothly guidedalong the latter and secured to the wire latch parts 61 d when it iscoupled with the wire latch parts 61 d.

The second and third housings 30 and 40 are restrained together to thefirst housing 20 in the folded state. At this moment, both the secondand third elastic parts 72 and 73 and the elastic joint 74 are foldedtogether with the second and third housings 30 and 40, and furtherrestrained in the folded state.

The embodiments of the apparatus for measuring biological informationand the earphone having the same set forth hereinabove have beenpresented for illustrative purposes only and, therefore, the presentinvention is not limited to these embodiments and drawings. It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention defined in the claims.

1. An apparatus for measuring biological information, the apparatuscomprising: a first housing; a second housing foldably connected withthe first housing; a third housing foldably connected with the secondhousing and provided with a sensor for measuring the biologicalinformation; a plurality of joint parts connecting the respectivehousings about which the housings fold and unfold; a locking partprovided between the respective housings to restrain the housings in afolded state; and an elastic member provided within the respectivehousings and joint parts that applies a uniform pressure to unfold therespective housings and to contact the sensor against an earlobe.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first housing is installed in amounting groove formed in an earphone.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the plurality of joint parts include a first elastic joint and asecond elastic joint, wherein the first elastic joint is providedbetween the first housing and the second housing, the second elasticjoint is provided between the second housing and third housing, and thefirst elastic joint and second elastic joint have a smaller diameterthan their respective housings.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theelastic member is formed of from a Nitinol material.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the locking part comprises: a first locking partprovided between the first housing and the second housing to restrainthe first housing and the second housing in the folded state; a secondlocking part provided between the second housing and third housing torestrain the second housing and the third housing in the folded state,wherein releasing the first locking part rotates the first housing andthe second housing, and then releases and unfolds the second housing andthird housing.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first lockingpart comprises: first and second pressing members exposed outside of thefirst housing; a hook part provided on one side of the second housing;and a pair of wire latch parts provided at a location corresponding tothe hook part between the first and second pressing members, wherein acentral portion of the wire latch parts expands to release the hook partwhen the first and second pressing members are pressed.
 7. The apparatusof claim 6, wherein the hook part includes a guide ramp for contactingone of the wire latch parts.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein thesecond locking part comprises: a first engaging member provided on oneside of the second housing; and a second engaging member provided at alocation corresponding to the first engaging member on one side of thethird housing, wherein the second engaging member contacts an outerprotrusion of an earphone to release the second housing from the thirdhousing, thereby unfolding the second housing from the third housing viarotated by the elastic member.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein oneend of the first engaging member formed as a semi-sphere and one end ofthe second engaging member is formed with a ridge to detachably engagethe first engaging member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theelastic member comprises: a first elastic part provided in the firsthousing; a second elastic part provided in the second housing to unfoldthe first housing from the second housing; a third elastic part providedin the third housing to unfold the second housing from the thirdhousing; and first and second elastic joints provided in respectivejoint parts connecting the first, second and third elastic parts. 11.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second elastic jointshave a diameter smaller than a diameter of the elastic part connected byopposite ends of the elastic joints.
 12. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the first housing is provided with an engaging groove having thefirst locking part.